Reducing Verbal and Physically Abusive Behaviors of Ninth through Twelfth Grade Students through a Structured Support Group Process.

Gillum, Lloyd R., Jr.

This practicum describes a method developed to address a high school problem involving grade 9-12 students who verbally and/or physically abused other students. In order to enable these students to interact appropriately, without abusive behaviors, a structured support group curriculum was written, the high school administrative staff and a co-facilitator were trained through in-service training, and a structured support group program to target students was facilitated. Although there was a decrease in disciplinary actions from fall 1993 to fall 1994, the goal of reducing by 25 percent the number of students referred for disciplinary infractions was not met. However, the expectation that by spring 1995 there would be an additional 25 percent reduction in the number of students referred for displaying verbally and physically abusive behaviors was met. Likewise, the goal of reducing the number of long-term suspensions or expulsions when compared to the number of suspended or expelled students during the 1993 school year was also achieved. It is argued that the combined solution of working with targeted students with one or more disciplinary infractions, and monitoring the student discipline progress through the high school assistant principal for discipline, resulted in improved student behaviors. (RJM)